Over the first two months of this season, the Jays’ starting rotation was keeping them in games. Starters were pitching late into games, keeping opponents off the bases (mostly) and were making up for the lackluster hitting and underwhelming bullpen.

Heading into this season, manager John Farrell wanted to see his starters go later into games, as that had been a weakness of the rotation in 2011. Of late, the young staff is having a mixture of issues that has seen their collective E.R.A., homeruns allowed and opponent batting average go up while the number of innings pitched per game has gone down.

On the heels of Brandon Morrow’s move to the 15 day DL with a left oblique strain, the last thing the Jays needed was another starter going down to injury.

Trying to avoid being swept by the Nationals on Wednesday, Toronto was in for a tough game as Stephen Strasburg made his debut north of the border. Kyle Drabek took the mound for the Jays, but managed to only pitch four and one third innings before being removed from the game for precautionary reasons. Drabek left in a 1-1 count to Michael Morse in the 5th inning, saying he felt a pop at the back of his pitching elbow.

Drabek past the exams performed during the game and will be re-evaluated later this week. Hopes are high that he’ll be able to avoid the disabled list, but only time will tell. Drabek told the media post-game that the sensation was nothing like his injury that required Tommy John surgery in 2007, but it was “pretty frightening.”

In the end, the Jays were swept in three games by the Nationals, losing 6-2. The loss moved them below .500 for the first time all season.

After an off-day Thursday, the Jays will host a three game series against the Philadelphia Phillies starting Friday. Vance Worley (3-2) will start for the Phillies, as Drew Hutchinson (5-3) will look to get the Jays’ back to .500.

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Written by Amanda Tallon
Self-professed baseball nerd, blogger, writer, tweeter, learning addict and once colour commentator. Celebrating over twenty years of love with the Toronto Blue Jays and the beautiful game of baseball. I also contribute to thegalsgotgame.com, a sports website for business women by women.